HomeMy WebLinkAbout030325 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 3rd day of March 2025 in Council
Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:00pm.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager,
Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Community Services Director
Melody Sky -Weaver, Project Manager Mike Connelly, Planning and Community
Development Director Emma Bolin, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith , Chief of Police
Tom Olson, Deputy Chief Jeff Thaxton, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
Reading Month 20th Annual Community Read Proclamation
Mayor Faber presented the Reading Month 20th Annual Community Read
Proclamation to the Community Services Director Melody Sky -Weaver.
Washington State Parks Update on Fort Worden
City Manager John Mauro introduced the Washington State Parks Update on Fort
Worden.
Washington State Parks Deputy Director Mike Sternbeck and Southwest Region
Superintendent Anna Gill provided the Washington State Parks Update on Fort
Worden which included introductions, ended master lease, budget gap, Fort Worden
budget ask, Fort Worden Hospitality closing, fully engaged in campus administration
and operations, establishing new agreements with tenants, working with Centrum,
maintenance, long term vision, planning process, operating on temporary plan through
2026, short term concessions, do not intent to close campus, choosing good path
forward, and Discover Pass.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Washington State Parks staff and city staff
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explained using building to provide housing for unsheltered and dissolution of PDA.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for Washington State Parks, Library checking
out Discover Passes, and appreciation for working relationship with Washington State
Parks and City of Port Townsend.
Annual Crime Report and State of the Police Department
Chief of Police Tom Olson and Deputy Chief Jeff Thaxton presented the Annual Crime
Report and State of the Police Department which included Introduction, Mission
Statement, Vision, Values, Staffing, Our New Team Members 2024/2025, Training,
Equipment, Community Policing Efforts, Community Services, Use of Force, 2024
Annual Crime Data, 2024 Pro -Active Policing, 202212023/2024 Annual Pro -Active
Policing Comparison, 2022/2023/2024 Annual Collision Data Comparison, Crime
Comparison Data, Operational Goals for 2024, Operational Goals for 2025, Summary,
Immigration and the Role of the Police Department, Documents Providing Guidance
and Direction for PTPD, and Immigration Restrictions.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained being fully staffed and
roundabout accidents.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included staffing,
directional drilling complete on Water St, Coffee with the City Manager, State of the City,
and Connectivity Summit.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Staff or Council response, as needed
Derek Firenze spoke about conversion to affordable housing at Fort Worden entrance
and Recovery. Empower.Advocacy.Linkage (REAL) team.
CLOSED SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.140 (4)(B) GENERAL GOVERNMENT
NEGOTIATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES)
Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into a Closed Session: Pursuant to RCW
42.30.140(4)(b) General Government Negotiations for approximately 20 minutes.
Council went into Closed Session at 7:08pm.
Council came out of Closed Session at 7:28pm. No action was taken.
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CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: February 3, 2025, February 10, 2025
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Libby Wennstrom
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 3347 An Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending
Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking
Regulations and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, Will
Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this
Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede this Ordinance
Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of
Procedures.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Long Range
Planner Adrian Smith presented Ordinance 3347 an Interim Ordinance of the City of
Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to
Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless
Extended, Will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of
this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede this Ordinance which
included text the same as interim ordinance previously approved twice, required
parking minimums, parking regulations apply to new developments, applications,
survey, and Customer Assistance Meetings (CAMs).
There were no written materials submitted.
Public comment:
Forest Shomer spoke about paid parking.
Mayor Faber stated the paid parking ordinance is not the topic before them tonight.
Scott Walker spoke about the "sky isn't falling".
Derek Firenze spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Staff explained parking development downtown and line in and line out document.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained people are still building
the previously required minimum, ADU permits in 2024, and building a garage.
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Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the Hearing.
Discussion ensued around the benefit to build both ways, amount of interim
ordinances, length between interim ordinances, and allowing affordability.
Mayor Faber closed the public record and the Public Hearing.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3347 An
Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal
Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the
Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, Will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months
from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that
Supersede this Ordinance Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3348 Amending the Critical Areas Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05
of the Port Townsend Municipal Code
Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of
Procedures.
Emma Bolin and Adrian Smith presented Ordinance 3348 Amending the Critical
Areas Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code
which included Background, Critical Areas Ordinance- Purpose, CAO- Principles,
CAO-Designation, CAO-What are they?, CAO- Major Changes Proposed (see Table
for all), and Options for Suggested Motions.
There were no written materials submitted.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained any changes at next
reading.
Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the Hearing.
Discussion ensued around the ordinance being easy to understand..
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Mayor Faber closed the Public Record and the Public Hearing,
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3348
Amending the Critical Areas Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05 of the Port
Townsend Municipal Code Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into all Contracts Necessary to Complete
Design and Issue Request for Bids for the Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing
Project
Public Works Director Steve King and Project Manager Mike Connelly presented
Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into all Contracts Necessary to Complete
Design and Issue Request for Bids for the Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing
Project which included General Sewer Plan, analysis, SM1 and SM3, Existing Sewer
and Water System map, Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing Project Vicinity Map,
project estimate, budget estimate, public outreach, directional drilling, staff
recommendation, and anticipating construction early 2026.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained estimate for increased
budget, how budget will be presented, construction wouldn't happen until 2026, and
grants.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into all contracts
necessary to complete design and issue request for bids for the Holcomb and Wilson
Sewer Upsizing Project. Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Port Townsend and the
Port of Port Townsend for the Construction of Stormwater Facilities
Steve King and Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Eron Berg presented the
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Port Townsend and the Port of
Port Townsend for the Construction of Stormwater Facilities which included February
10, 2025 workshop, stormwater, old outfall pipe, Port funding, allowing for expansion
of boatyard, estimated costs, interlocal, stormwater fund, Port takes lead in
managing, City in assistance role, end of project it all comes to the City, easement,
and treatment of urban stormwater.
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In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and Eron Berg explained use of
additional land and trail.
Public comment:
Public comment was made.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for cooperation and result.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal
Agreement with the Port of Port Townsend for the construction of stormwater
improvements and a new outfall at the west end of the Boat Haven Boatyard. Libby
Wennstrom seconded.
Discussion ensued around budget and trail.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included State of the City.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
There were no suggestions for future agendas.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Deputy Mayor Howard stated she will be hosting a session at the Jefferson County
Connectivity Summit and has two motions from the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory
Board asking to be tasked with work regarding drafting resolutions in support of
reproductive healthcare and to uphold gender affirming care and human rights as they
relate to gender identity especially for trans and non -binary individuals.
Motion: Amy Howard moved to task the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board with
creating Resolutions in support of reproductive healthcare and upholding gender
affirming care and human rights as they relate to gender identity especially for trans and
non -binary individuals. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Council member MickHager stated she was pleased with the Planning Commission/City
Council Joint meeting regarding the Comprehensive Plan and looks forward to having
more.
ADJOURN
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There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:46pm.
Attest:
115�1551
Als morgues
6Y Clerk
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